Man charged for ramming into Illinois airport terminal

Associated Press

March 7, 2018 2:13 pm

This undated photo provided by the City of Peoria Police Department in Peoria, Ill.,shows, Justin Deemie. A jury indicted Deemie on Tuesday, March, 6, 2018, for charges related to his Feb. 17 attempt to force his way into a terminal at the Gen. Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport in central Illinois. Prosecutor Steve Pattelli says Deemie was under the influence of drugs when he grew concerned about zombies. (City of Peoria Police Department via AP)Associated Press

PEORIA, Ill. -- A man who tried to ram a stolen vehicle into a central Illinois airport terminal says he was worried about an impending zombie apocalypse.

Justin Deemie, 27, was indicted Tuesday on charges of home invasion, residential burglary, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and criminal damage to government-supported property, the Peoria Journal Star reported . The indictment comes after his Feb. 17 attempt to forcefully enter a terminal at the Gen. Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport.

Prosecutor Steve Pattelli said Deemie was high on drugs when he grew concerned about zombies.

Pattelli said Deemie initially broke into a neighbor's apartment to steal keys to the car he later drove into the airport terminal. Deemie then breached security and boarded an empty plane, according to Pattelli.

After exiting the plane, Deemie attempted to break into a police vehicle by using a landscaping brick to smash the back window, said the prosecutor. Deemie intended to drive the Peoria County sheriff's deputy's car to Florida.

Deemie was apprehended after the deputy shut off his car remotely.

The incident resulted in several delayed or canceled weekend flights.

Deemie's arraignment is scheduled for Thursday. He's being held at the Peoria County Jail on a $500,000 bond. He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.